debated 1 of 2

adjective

as in disputed

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debated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of debate
1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to still debating what to do

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussed
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion we debated the advantages versus the disadvantages of the proposed waterfront development

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debated
Adjective
In any case, the moment quickly became one of the most debated events in rock history. — Kara Rogers Britannica Editors July 16, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 July 2026 The most debated issue this week is over AI data centers, with every candidate trying to position themselves as the most against them. — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Now this may be my most controversial and debated stance about Pride Nights and the LGBTQ movement. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, here's a look back at the iconic event's most daring — and most debated — style moments. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 The most controversial and debated article on Mint Press News is about the use of chemical agents in the Syrian civil war. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary. — ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Yet, Stella Lefty’s rise has been hotly debated — conversations about nepotism, originality, and TikTok’s influence on the music industry have taken over. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 From Engineer To Operator How much FDE an organization needs versus traditional engineering is already being debated. — Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Congress has debated but passed no overall AI-regulation legislation. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 In their discussions, economists and policymakers debated the regulatory challenges in a world where tokenization is revolutionizing how financial assets are held and transferred. — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Researchers have debated for years whether these dendrites begin at the electrolyte’s surface or deeper inside the material. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Rain recently debated a Republican congressional candidate on Piers Morgan’s talk show; Araujo has become a mainstay on many popular YouTube shows and podcasts. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 New restrictions on e-bike use now are being debated by Encinitas city officials following residents’ complaints. — Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026 But the legality of their use has been vigorously debated as a possible violation of the laws of war, and they have never been deployed at scale. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
  1. disputed
  2. pondered
  3. discussed
  4. controversial
  5. contemplated
  6. argued
  7. considered
  8. studied
Adjective
  • The Times reported that months after the disputed 2009 election, the Guards' intelligence division was elevated into an independent organization with Taeb as its first chief.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ask whether the methodology is published in enough detail to reproduce, and who arbitrates a disputed grade.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of disputed
Verb
  • In a July 2025 text chain, an agent pondered whether facial recognition tools could be used to identify people on TikTok who admitted to being in the country illegally.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • In a July interview with Rolling Stone, Foreman pondered why his story went viral.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026
Definition of pondered
Verb
  • August and Cuarón discussed whether the project should be animation or live-action, and it was decided the latter is the way to go.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • At the conference Future Travel Experience Global 2022 in Las Vegas, Mike Byrom, Spirit’s then vice president of airport services, discussed the partnership with Springshot and its software.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussed
Adjective
  • The Amazing Spider-Man and Social Network actor got candid about portraying the controversial executive who has helped spearhead the AI revolution.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Almost a decade after its release, Reputation has held it spot as Swift’s most controversial record, but the Grammy winner is embracing its legacy.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Verb
  • The siblings may argue that the current transaction implements the type of sale that Jeanie and the trustees contemplated in the tag-along provision.
    — Mirin Fader, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The average increase in each toll being contemplated is 45 cents, which on some legs of Illinois’ network of toll roads will literally double the cost.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of contemplated
Verb
  • Group argued construction could be irreversible The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is challenging the ballroom, had told the justices that the project would likely become irreversible unless it is stopped now.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Palal acknowledged that Davis’ accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis’ changing motivations and efforts to protect himself.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of argued
Verb
  • Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Today, they’re considered indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems, since the otters rely on clean water, plentiful fish and intact river habitat.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of considered
Verb
  • This is true for ALE too, which academic researchers have studied extensively in an attempt to improve processes or address its low throughput.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have studied 72 young, sun-like stars.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of studied

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Cite this Entry

“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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